Vaporizing devices



Sept, 2, 1958 H. E. HOFFMAN vAPoRIzmG DEVICES F11! July 5, 1956 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR IIerbert E. Hoff-"(437v ATTORNEYS Sept. 2, 1958H. E. HOFFMAN 2,850,321

I VAPORIZING DEVICES Filed July 5, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F1 .12 7/INVENTOR 7 Herbert E-Hof'fnw ATTORNEYS United States Patent VAPORIZINGDEVICES Herbert E. Hoffman, Cleveland, Ohio Application July 5, 1956,Serial No. 595,907

2 Claims. (Cl. 299-24) This invention relates to vaporizing devices forspace deodorants, disinfectants, and the like. More particularly, theinvention relates to the types of vaporizing devices which comprises acontainer having a removable cap and containing a volatile deodorant ordisinfectant in a liquid form, or dispersed in a liquid solvent orcarrier, and include suitable porous or wick-like elements having oneend immersed in the liquid in the container and its opposite end exposedto the air to provide an exposed surface from which the volatilematerial may be evaporated.

Broadly, the object of this invention is to provide improved vaporizingdevices of the general character referred to and improved methods ofmaking the same.

One specific object of the invention is to provide a vaporizing deviceof the general character referred to which is easily refillable andwhich is particularly suited for shipment and original sale in acondition containing no mobile liquid, liquid being added by the user bysimple addition of water or other suitable solvent or carrier.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a vaporizingdevice of the general character referred to which is readily rechargedwith the deodorant or disinfectant component when the original supplythereof is exhausted.

Still another specific object of the invention is to provide avaporizing device of the general character referred to which requires nomessy, manual wick adjustment, but which can be easily manipulated tovaporize volatile material at a more rapid than normal rate whendesired.

Still another specific object of the invention is to provide avaporizing device that is more convenient to use than prior devices ofthe general character referred to, is more attractive in appearance,cheaper in initial cost, and more eificient in operation.

Still another specific object of the invention is to provide a novel andeconomical method of making a vaporizing device having all of theforegoing attributes.

The vaporizing devices of the invention are characterized by theemployment of a jar-like container having a relatively large diameterthroat or neck and a removable cap therefor, and by a liquid feedingstructure within the container formed of a rigid, porous material havinga solvent-miscible, volatile deodorant or disinfectant materialdistributed therethrough. The liquid feeding structure comprises afeeding trunk portion extending upwardly from the bottom of thecontainer and an integrally formed disc portion substantially closingthe throat of the container and providing a large, exposed, uppersurface for evaporation of said volatile material. Preferably, the discportion of the feeding structure has an opening therethrough forcharging water or other suitable solvent or carrier into the containerwithout removing the liquid feeding structure, and in some forms of theinvention, for charging additional volatile deodorant or disinfectantinto the container, preferably in a concentrated form in a solublecapsule.

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One form of the invention is characterized by a trunk portion of theliquid feeding structure that has the form of a cylindrical layer ofrigid, porous material formed against the cylindrical interior side wallof the container below the throat thereof, and a disc portionsubstantially closing the throat of the container and integrally joinedaround its periphery to the upper end of the trunk portion. There isthus formed within the container a rigid, porous, liquid feedingstructure of inverted cup-shape, the inverted bottom of the cup-shapedstructure providing a large upper surface area from which volatilematerial may be evaporated. In this form of the invention, thedeodorant, perfume, disinfectant or the like, in concentrated form, isimpregnated in the liquid feeding structure.

Another form of the invention is characterized by a trunk portion of theliquid feeding structure having the form of a cylindrical stem ofsmaller diameter than the throat of the container, and a disc portionsubstantially closing the throat of the container and integrally joinedcoaxially to the trunk portion. In this case, the lower end of the trunkportion rests on the bottom of the container and supports the discportion in the throat of the container, and the disc portion preferablyhas at least one opening therethrough for charging water or othersuitable solvent or carrier into the container without removing theliquid feeding structure. In this form of the invention, the deodorant,perfume, disinfectant, or the like is again impregnated in concentratedform in the liquid feeding structure.

Still another form of the invention is characterized by a cylindricaltrunk portion and disc portion forming the liquid feeding structure,like or similar to the form of the invention first described, with thespace below the disc portion and surrounded by the trunk portionsubstantially filled with a rigid, highly porous material saturated witha volatile liquid carrier having a deodorant, perfume, disinfectant, orthe like dissolved therein.

Still another form of the invention is characterized by a single,monolithic, mass of rigid, porous material constituting both a reservoirand a liquid feeding structure that substantially fills.a containertherefor.

The method of the invention is characterized by the two-step casting ofthe liquid feeding structure in place in the container, the trunkportion being formed by the setting of a fluid slurry of a predeterminedquantity of cementitious material against the inner side wall of thecontainer while rotating the container about its longitudinal axis, andthe disc portion being formed by the setting of a second predeterminedquantity of cementitious material against a disc-shaped mold that closesthe throat of the container while the container is resting in aninverted position upon the mold.

Among the many advantages of the invention are:

(l) The substitution of an inexpensive, porous material, like gypsum orplaster of Paris, for a relatively expensive fabric wick heretoforecommonly used in devices of this general character.

(2) In certain forms of the invention, by reason of the incorporation ofthe volatile deodorant, disinfectant, or the like, in a concentratedform in the liquid feeding structure itself, for solution orself-emulsification in a liquid carrier (preferably water), which isadded to the container just prior to its use, the product may be shippedat low cost in the form of a relatively light weight container with noheavy liquid therein.

(3) In certain forms of the invention, a volatile deodorant,disinfectant, or the like may be incorporated in the liquid feedingstructure in sufficient quantity so that, after the device has once beenfilled with a liquid carrier and used until the carrier is exhausted byevaporation, the mere addition of more of the liquid car- 3 rier willreactivate the device for at least an equal additional period of usebefore the deodorant or disinfectant is exhausted.

(4) In certain forms of the invention, when the original supply ofdeodorant, disinfectant, or the like is exhausted from the liquidfeeding structure, it may be replenished by placing anadditional supplythereof inthe container (suitably as a readily merchand-ised concentratein a capsule soluble in the liquid carrier), along with a furtherquantity of the liquid carrier.

While various liquids may be used as a liquid carrier, plain water issuitable in certain forms of the in'- vention, so that no shipment orsale of heavy liquids is ever required.

(6) The need for adjusting or touching a messy wick structure with thehands at any time is eliminated.

(7) The invention is adapted for use in an attractive outer container,which may be sold with the vaporizing device per se or separately.

(8) The vaporizing device per se may be economically made in quantityproduction by the method of the invention.

The foregoing and various additional objects, features, and advantagesof the invention will be more fully understood from the followingdetailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a vaporizing device made inaccordance with the invention, the view being drawn partly in verticalsection;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device of Figure 3, partly broken away;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a plurality of containers, of the kindshown in Figures 1, 2, and 5 being rolled in the course of forming thetrunk portion of a liquid feeding structure in the container;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical section of a container removed fromthe rollers of Figure 3 and placed in upright position, the sect-ionbeing taken as indicated by the line 44 in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an elevational view of the containers of Figure 4 stackedwith intervening mold members in the course of forming the disc portionof a liquid feeding structure therein;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the mold used in the stacked assemblyof Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an elevational view of a modified form of vaporizing devicemade in accordance with the invention, the view being drawn partly invertical section;

Figure 8 is a plan view of the device of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is an elevational view of another modified form of the devicedisposed in a decorative outer container which is closed by a removablecover, the view being drawn partly in vertical section;

Figure 10 is a plan view of the assembly of Figure 9';

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 9, showing the same decorativeouter container with the removable closure inverted topermitvaporization of a deodorant, disinfectant, or the like, and with stillanother modified form of vaporizing device contained therein; and

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 7, showingv stillanother modifiedform of vaporizing device made in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawing, the device of Figures 1' and 2 may comprise aglass jar 11 having a substantially cylindrical side wall 12, a reducedthroat 1'3, and a threaded upper end 14 for receiving a conventionalscrew-on cap (not shown). Inside the jar 11 is an integral liquidfeeding structure 15 formed of a rigid, porous, hydrated gypsum orplaster of Paris having a suitable, volatile deodorant or disinfectantincorporated therein in a soluble or self-emulsifiable form. This liquidfeeding structure comprises a generally cylindrical trunk portion t6molded against the jar side' wall 12 as a substantially uniform layer,and a disc-like portion 17 molded in the throat'13 of the jar. Thedisc-like portion 17 is preferably disposed slightly below the upperedge of the jar throat and is separately molded in a layer of sufiicientthickness to join itself integrally with the trunk portion 16 entirelyaround its upper end in the region designated 18. Thus, a path alongwhich a liquid may travel through the porous material, from the bottomof the trunk portion 16 to the upper surface of the disc portion 17, isprovided entirely around the inner cylindrical surface of the jar 11.

The upper surface of the disc portion 17 is preferably molded withalternate raised portions 19 and depressed portions 20 to increase thesurface area from which volatile material may be evaporated. At leastone hole 21 is provided in the disc portion through which a suitableliquid solvent or carrier 22 may be charged just prior to use of thedevice. It is desirable, partly for reasons noted below, that the raisedand depressed portions 19 and 20 be arranged so that liquid flowing overthose surfaces will drain into the hole or holes 21. A suitable surfaceconfiguration for this purpose is shown in the drawings, but it will beappreciated that such configuration may be greatly varied as desired.

The porous liquid feeding structure 15 may be made of any of avariety ofsettable cementitious liquids or slurries, such as aqueous slurries ofgypsum or plaster films- Preferably, the slurry is beaifi or wlifid toincorporate additional air therein and increase the porosity of thefinal set structure. This increases the rate at which the liquid 22 willbe conducted by capillary action through the liquid feeding structure 15to the upper surface of the disc-like portion 17. If desired, a smallamount of a foaming agent, such as naphthalene sulfonic acid or otherpetroleum sulfonate, may be incorpo rated in the slurry to increase theentrainment of air,

though this is generally unnecessary.

In accordance with the invention, a small amount of a volatiledeodorant, disinfectant, perfume, insecticide, insect repellant, or thelike, or any combination thereof, is also incorporated in the settableslurry in either a soluble or a self-emulsifiable form. These volatilema terials should be either soluble or self-emulsifiable in theparticular liquid carrier 22 to be used in the device. In the case ofvolatile or subl-ima-ble solids, they may simply be mixed into theslurry. In the case of essential oils, where water is to be used as theliquid carrier, it may be desirable to mix such oils with an emulsifyingagent which will render themself-emulsifying in water on contact.-Suitable emulsifying agents for this purpose are: petroleum sulfonate,Turkey red oil, naphthenic acid soaps, soaps of mahogany acid, and thelike.-

In forming the liquid feeding structure 15, described above, a slurry ofthe desired cementitious material is prepared, and the desired amount ofvolatile material, emulsifying agent (if any), and foaming agent( ifany) are mixed into the slurry. Preferably, the slurry is beaten orwhipped in a high speed mixer of any desired type to incorporateadditional air into the slurry. A predetermined quantity of the fluidslurry sufiicient to form the trunk portion 16 of the liquid feedingstructure is introduced into the container 1'1, and a stopper-type cap-23 (Figure 4) is applied to the container. The container is then placedon its side on a pair of rollers 24 and 25 of a suitable rollingapparatus 26, of which an example is iliustrated in Figure 4. Therollers 24 and 25 are mounted at their opposite ends for rotation in apair of blocks 27 and 28 carried by a base 29, and the rollers areconstrained torotate together in the same direction and at the samespeed by means of a belt 31 connecting apair of pulleys 32 and 33, whichare respectively mounted on extensions'of the rollers 24 and 25. Therollers may be synchronously driven by an additional belt 3'4 whichconnects an additional" pulley 35 on an extension of the opposite end ofone of the rollers, e. g., 25, to any suitable motor or the like (notshown);-

Any desired number of jars 11 containing the same predeterminedquantities of the slurry may be placed on the rollers 24 and 25 androtated thereby to distribute the slurry in a uniform layer 16 over theinner surface of the side wall 12 of each jar as the slurry sets to arigid condition. If several jars are filled and placed on the rollerssimultaneously, they may be removed simultaneously; if placed on therollers one after another, they may be removed in the same order afterhaving been rotated for substantially the same lengths of time.

As each container 11 is removed from the rolling device 26, it is placedupright, as shown in Figure 4, the cap 23 is removed, and a secondpredetermined quantity of the slurry is introduced into the container.The throat 13 of the container is then closed by a mold 36 having a discportion 37 fitting snugly within the throat and a rim portion 38overlying and engaging the threaded upper end 14 of the container. Theinner surface of the mold 36 is formed with alternate raised anddepressed portions to provide a surface configuration complementary tothat to be formed on the upper surface of the disc portion 17 of theliquid feeding structure 15.

A number of containers having the same predetermined portions of slurryintroduced therein and having the molds 36 applied thereto are theninverted and may be stacked, one on top of the other, as shown in Figure5. If necessary, an additional load may be applied to the top of thestack to hold the mold rims 38 of all the containers in tight, sealingengagement with the open ends 14 thereof. The stack of containers ispermitted to remain in this position until the second predeterminedquantity of the slurry in each has set against the inner surfaces of themolds 36 to form the rigid disc portions 17 of the liquid feedingstructures in the containers.

Upon applying any suitable screw-on cover (not shown) to each container,the device is ready for merchandizing. The purchaser need merely removethe screw-on cover and pour a suitable solvent for the particularvolatile material in the slurry through the opening 21 into the jar. Thesolvent will move by capillary action upwardly through theliquid-feeding structure to the upper surface thereof, dissolving orentraining by emulsification a portion of the volatile materialoriginally incorporated in the slurry. The resulting wet upper surfaceof the disc portion 17 of the liquid feeding structure maintains aconstant supply of the volatile material on this surface for evaporationinto the surrounding atmosphere.

If more rapid evaporation for a short period is desired, the containermay be inverted before removing the screwon cap to cause an abundantsupply of liquid 24, carrying dissolved volatile material from theliquid feeding structure, to wet the entire upper surface of the discportion 17. Upon returning the container to its upright position, excessliquid 24 will drain back into the container through the opening 21.

Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, a modified form of liquid feedingstructure 45 is shown in place in a similar container 11. In thisinstance, the liquid feeding structure comprises a trunk portion 46 inthe form of a rod-like stem, and a disc portion 47 with which the trunkportion 46 is integrally formed and coaxially aligned. The trunk portion46 rests on the bottom of the container and supports the disc portion 47in the throat thereof. The upper surface of the disc portion 47 isprovided with alternate raised and depressed areas 48 and 49 arranged ina suitable configuration for draining radially outwardly toward aplurality of openings 50 formed by notches in the periphery of the discportion 47. Liquid solvent or carrier poured onto the top surface of thedisc portion 47 will drain radially outwardly along the surface andthrough the holes 50 into the interior of the container. This reservoir51 supplies liquid to be conducted from the interior of the containerupwardly through the trunk portion 46 and disc portion 47 of the liquidfeeding structure to the upper surface of the disc portion inessentially the same manner as in the embodiment of the invention shownin Figures 1 and 2. In all other respects, the embodiments of theinvention last described are the same in their mode of operation and useas the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring next to Figures 9-ll, there is shown a decorative container 55comprising a bowl 56, having a seat 57 formed around its upper open end,and a dome-shaped cover 58, having a complementary lower peripheral edgeadapted to seat upon and be held in place by the seat 57 on the upperedge of the bowl. The cover 58 is provided with at least three legs 59symmetrically arranged thereon and projecting generally upwardlytherefrom, and the upper end of each leg 59 is provided with a contourcomplementary to the contour of the upper edge of the bowl 56. When thecover 58 is inverted, the legs 59 are adapted to engage and seat uponthe seat 57 on the upper edge of the bowl (Figure 11), thereby holdingthe cover spaced upwardly from the bowl and permitting free flow of airunder the cover and over the open top of the bowl between the legs ofthe cover.

A device of the character shown in Figures 1 and 2 or of the charactershown in Figures 7 and 8, or the modified forms illustrated in Figures9-12 (hereinafter described), may be stored in the bowl 55 with itsoriginal screw-on cover removed. Evaporation of volatile material may beprevented when the device is not in use by closing the bowl 55 with thecover 58, as shown in Figure 9. When it is desired to use the vaporizingdevice for its intended purpose, the cover 58 for the bowl 55 is merelyinverted and placed in the position shown in Figure ll. Obviously theparticular shape and configuration of the bowl 55 and cover 58 may bevaried widely as desired for obtaining an appropriate artisticappearance for household use. The bowl 55 and cover 58 serve both as adecorative article and as a disguise for the vaporizing device.

The modified form of vaporizing device shown inside the bowl 55 inFigures 9 and 10 may comprise a container 11 also having a liquidfeeding trunk portion 16 disposed therein, like the device of Figures 1and 2, and this trunk portion 16 may be formed in the manner describedabove with reference to Figures 3 and 4. After removing the cap 23(Figure 4), a separately cast cylindrical block 60 of highly aerated,highly porous gypsum or plaster of Paris is dropped into the container.

The block 60, after being separately cast, may be saturated with avolatile, water-soluble or miscible carrier liquid, such as isopropylalcohol, having any desired deodorant, perfume, disinfectant, or thelike, or any combination thereof dissolved therein in a relatively highconcentration. A block of this character which is 2 to 2% inches indiameter and 2 to 2% inches high may have as much as 5 to 6 ounces ormore of the volatile carrier solution absorbed and held therein in animmobile condition, as far as liquid flow is concerned. When droppedinto the container 11 inside the trunk portion 16, the block 60 servesas a supply reservoir for the material to be volatilized.

The next step in the formation of this form of the device is to fill allthe remaining space in the container, between the block 60 and trunkportion 16 and over both of them, to an additional thickness of about Wto 78 of an inch in the throat 13 of the container, with additionalfluid slurry of the character of which the trunk portion 16 was cast. Astopper-like cap (not shown) similar to the cap 23 in Figure 4 but ofsomewhat reduced thickness, may then be pressed into the throat of thejar, squeezing out any excess slurry as it is inserted and molding theupper surface 61 of a disc portion 62 of the liquid feeding structure.

Because of the higher volatility of the isopropyl alcohol carrier in thesaturated block 60, the upper surface 61 of the disc portion 62 may besmooth in this case, less surface "area for evaporation being required.Also,

if desired, the volatile material incorporated in concentrated form inthe liquid feeding structures of the device of Figures 1 and 2 and thedevice of Figures 7 and 8 may be omitted, since a substantial supply ofsuch volatile material is dissolved in the carrier liquid with which theblock 60 is saturated.

When the last addition of slurry has set, the stopperlike cap isremoved, and a hole 63 is dril'hxl through the disc portion 62 andplugged with a sepa'r'atefy formed, removable, plug 64 of any ceramicmaterial, plaster, or the like. Alternatively the hole 63' may be moldedby a boss on the inner surface of the stopper-like cap (not shown) withwhich the upper surface 61 is molded. Finally, any conventional screw-oncap (not shown) may be applied for sealing the device during storage andshipment.

When a device like the one last described is to be put into use, theplug 64 is manually removed and water is poured slowly into the hole 63until the liquid feeding trunk portion 16 and disc portion 62 aresaturated with as much water as they will absorb. The plug 64 is thenreplaced, and, if a bowl 56 is used, the container 11 is dropped intoplace therein and the cover 58 applied as shown in Figures 9 and 10.

Thereafter, the form of device last described is used in the samegeneral manner as the other forms shown and described herein, exceptthat this device is recharged in a different manner when the originalsupply of deodorant or the like is exhausted therefrom. One rechargingwith plain water, introduced through the hole 63, is highly effective ifthe deodorant or the like is impregnated in the liquid feeding structurewhen it is formed. Thereafter, the device may be recharged, if desired,by adding more of the isopropyl alcohol solution and a small amount ofwater through the hole 63.

As previously noted Figure 11 shows the decorative outer container 56with its cover 58 inverted to permit evaporation from the innercontainer 11 of the vaporizing device contained therein. In Figure 11,however, still another modified form of vaporizing device is showncomprising the same kind of inner container 11 filled, in this instance,with a single monolithic mass of a liquid storing and feeding structure60a saturated with a solution of the material to be vaporized. In thisinstance, the liquid feeding structure 60 may be cast in the container11 simply by pouring into the container a highly aerated, highly porousslurry of gypsum or plaster of Paris similar to that used to form theseparately c'ast block 60 in Figure 9.

The monolithic structure 60:: is preferably formed with a centralvertical hole 63a therein, which hole may be formed in any desiredmanner and may extend either partially or completely to the bottom ofthe container 11. Because of the greater porosity of the upper surface610 of the block 60a, it will provide a sufliciently high rate of liquidtransfer to the surface to meet almost any required rate of evaporation.Also, it can easily be made of such a highly frothed slurry, by simplywhipping the slurry with or without a frothing agent, that an 8 ouncejar, for example, can hold as much as 3 ounces of liquid in an immobilecondition in the pores of the solidified mass 600.

By initially absorbing in the solidified block 60a only a relativelysmall quantity of a water-miscible liquid concentrate of volatilematerial, or by mixing either a dry or liquid water-miscible concentratewith the slurry from which the block 60a is cast, little or no liquidneed be shipped in the finished product. The user can place the devicein condition for use by simply pouring water into the hole 63a until theblock 60a has absorbed its capacity of liquid and created a dispersionready for vaporization.

In many instances, as in the other forms of devices disclosed hereincomplete evaporation of the liquid contents of the container 11 willleave sufficient residue of the volatile concentrate so that the devicemay be reactivated simply by adding more water. Where capsules ofvolatile concentrate are to be used, such a capsule may be dropped intothe hole 63:: either to initially charge or to recharge the device, andthe capsule will dissolve in the course of adding water so as tosaturate the block 60a. Thus, though the device in the outer container55 in Figure 11 is very inexpensive to make, requiring only a jar and asmall amount of liquid settable slurry, it has all of the advantagesrecited above herein.

The modified form of vaporizing device shown in Fig ure l2 utilizes arigid, cast, porous block of plaster of Paris or the like saturated withthe concentrate of material to be volatilized, and a separately formedwick structure of a less rigid character than those heretoforedescribed, though similarly self-sustaining in the position in which itis originally assembled. In this case, the wick structure may be formedof pre-cut rubber, cellulose, or other synthetic sponge material or thelike and merely inserted in place in a jar or similar container.

Referring to Figure 12, the same container 11 may have a liquid feedingtrunk member 66 of tubular configuration inserted therein so as toconform generally to and be seated against the inner side wall of thecontainer while providing an annular upper edge 67 upon which a separatedisc portion 68 of the liquid feeding structure may rest as shown. Ifdesired, the feeding trunk member 66 may be cut as a flat rectangularblock of the sponge material, of appropriate length to be bent to itscylindrical form as it is inserted in the container 11.

A cylindrical block 70 of plasterof Paris or the like, having an axialhole 71 drilled through the center thereof, or cast therein, may besaturated with a volatile liquid concentrate of the material to bevaporized, as in the case of the block 60 in Figures 9 and 11. Thisblock 70 may be dropped in place inside the feeding trunk member 66.Thereupon, the disc portion 68 may be dropped in place. To limit therate of transfer of material to be volatilized from the block 70 to theliquid feeding structure, it may be desirable in some instances to coatthe top and outer cylindrical surfaces of the block 70 with anon-permeable coating of paraffine, lacquer, or the like (not shown). Ahole 72 is also preferably formed through the disc portion 68 tofacilitate the rapid addition of water or other miscible liquid diluentfor the concentrate in the block 70 without the necessity of removingthe disc portion 68.

The device of Figure 12 may be used and recharged in the same manner asthe similar device shown in the outer decorative container 55 in Figures9 and 11. Its mode of operation is essentially the same, a preformedliquid feeding structure of sponge material merely being substituted forthe more rigid, cast, liquid feeding structure in Figures 9 and 11.

From the foregoing description of various embodiments of the invention,it will be appreciated that the numerous objectives and advantagesrecited above have been accomplished in a simple and practical mannerand that a variety of commercial products having many attractiveshipping, merchandizing and utilitarian features may be easily andeconomically produced in accordance with the invention.

Having described my invention, I claim:

. l. A vaporizing device comprising an outer container adapted to serveas a decorative household article or the like and having an open threatat its upper end and a seat extending around the interior of the upperedge of said throat, a dome-shaped closure for said upper end having itslower rim shaped to seat upon and interfit with said seat, a pluralityof legs extending upwardly from the upper surface of said closure, saidlegs being uniformly spaced about the closure with their upper endsvertically aligned with said seat and shaped to seat upon and interfitwith said seat when the closure is inverted, for supporting the invertedclosure above and spaced from the upper end of said throat, and avaporizing device comprising an inner container, a volatile materialwithin the inner container, and means within the inner container forreleasing said volatile material to the atmosphere, said inner containerbeing of a size to be inserted through said throat into said outercontainer and to be entirely contained therein with the outer containerclosed by said closure.

2. A vaporizing device comprising an outer container adapted to serve asa decorative household article or the like and having an open throat atits upper end and a seat extending about said throat, a domed closurefor said upper end and having a lower rim shaped to seat upon andinterfit with said seat about its periphery for closing the throat, aplurality of legs extending upwardly from the upper surface of saidclosure, said legs being spaced apart about the closure with their upperends vertically aligned with said seat and shaped to seat upon andinterfit with said seat when the closure is inverted for supporting theinverted closure above and spaced from said seat while providingopenings between said legs into said outer container, and a vaporreleasing device comprising an inner container, a volatile materialwithin the inner container, and means within the inner container forgradually releasing said volatile material to the atmosphere, said innercontainer being of a size to be inserted through said throat into saidouter container and to be entirely contained therein with the outercontainer closed by said closure. v

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS FranceApr. 30, 1927

